i use bakingsoda and vim when i remember, but i ALWAYS disinfect the counters, sinks etc with either lysol, baking soda or vinegar after handling meat of any kind. ditto spilt milk, which neither mentioned [listeria].

Of course cleanliness is extremely important. And most of us are well aware of all the cleansers and such as we get harangued abut them every day via TV, magazines, newspapers, radio, you name it. One can barely escape!

Now tell me how the human race has managed to survive thus far what with most people not being the most clean critters around.
And, pray tell, how did I survive having been born many, many years ago, long before there were commercials being blasted at us almost 24/7?

I have survived outdoor toilets, well water hauled upward in a bucket - same bucket day after day; raw milk fresh from the cow; and all the other every day stuff. No electricity so no refrigeration.

If there is one thing I have learned over the years and as I have grown old(er) it is that people don't think we know what is good for us. Somehow, as you say, we have managed to survive to a ripe old age,eh?

To each his/her own.

Incidentally, today May 29th is the 58th anniversary of my wedding day.

my mother kept me isolated and in an almost sterile environment lest i catch something. thinking went that once you're our of babyhood, you'll be equiped to fight germs.

then i caught school.... suddenly coming into contact with all the bacteria i hadn't met previously overwhelmed my systen and i was sick constantly. better yet, as soon as i was determined sick, i was penicillined and now am so allergic to it and sulpha that a good shot would probably kill me.